While we all patiently await the release of iOS 5, Apple’s assemblers could be getting a gold master release from September 23, according to one analyst — just in time for a mid-October launch of the long-awaited iPhone 5.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iPhone and iPod touch assemblers are scheduled to receive a gold master release of Apple’s upcoming iOS 5 operating system from the week beginning September 23. Once the new OS is received, assemblers can begin installing it on Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iPod touch devices to get them ready for shipping.
Kuo also concurs with previous rumors that have claimed the fifth-generation will begin shipping from mid-October, according to AppleInsider:
A release of iOS 5 to assemblers the week of Sept. 23 means its likely finalized hardware units for the new iPhone and iPod touch will begin to ship at the end of September. With an estimated 10 to 12 days for shipping, the two new devices are likely to be available by mid-October, Kuo said.
Curiously, though, Ming-Chi Kuo says that according to his supply checks, there’s still no sign in the plants of the supposedly redesigned iPhone 5. Rather, all he’s seen reference to is the N94 iPhone, which rumors peg as the iPhone 4S… a speed bump, rather than a total overhaul.
iOS 5, which is now on its seventh beta, has been given a release date of this Fall by Apple, and seeding of the gold master release is a promising sign that the new operating system is ready for public release.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
24 responses to “iOS 5 Will Go Gold, Ship To Assemblers on September 23rd… But There’s No Sign Of The iPhone 5”
I don’t know whey everyone is expecting a redesign after a little over one year. The iPhone 4 is nudging perfection (providing you don’t drop it). An iPhone 4S is the logical step, with a faster chip better camera and maybe a bigger screen. If Apple take to redesigning their hardware every year they will soon run out of ideas and anyway, isn’t it really about software now ?
The iPhone 3GS, while a good phone, didn’t have the blockbuster launch of the iPhone 3G, and certainly not the iPhone 4.
If your average person can’t tell the difference between the models, that doesn’t really generate the kind of excitement that made the iPhone 4 the best selling model to date (to a ridiculous point compared to previous models).
cool0…
I just got a $829.99 iPad2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for.
I use BIDFiRsT. COM
I’m thinking the iPod and iPhone lines will merge designs and components. It only makes sense.
iPod wifi
iPod 3G
iPhone
“But there’s no sign of the iPhone 5”, mainly because it’s a fantasy in your head. I do grow tired of bloggers demanding a complete product refresh every year, when it never happens. You’d think at least some of them would learn as the years go by.
I think Iphone 4 looks great, I don’t really think that Apple needed to change the design on Iphone 5. but I do like the idea that will be a 4″ screan.
iPhone 4 design is good enough for current and no need to redesign for iphone 5 generation… just need to upgrade the speed and some hardware… I think Apple already starting design iPhone 6 and will be major upgrade…
“But there’s no sign of the iPhone 5”, mainly because it’s a fantasy in your head. I do grow tired of bloggers demanding a complete product refresh every year
I just got a $829.99 iPad2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for. I use http://bit.ly/grab2030
Will it fix the battery drain bug?
I agree it’s “nudging perfection”, but how about replacing the glass with some of that transparent aluminum that Scotty developed in Star Trek IV? If anyone can do real SF, it’s Apple. ;)
All I ask from you Apple, is to remove the soft metal backing on the back of the iPod touch and finally get some anodized aluminum on there. I actually just sold off the last of my iOS devices so I can update mostly all of them in a month. So I’m really excited for this launch and this article is pretty tasty news!
sorry but when I see a rumor like this I”m more likely to trust “a source” over “analyst” anytime.
A source might be someone of connection. Whereas analysts . . . well just look at the first four letters and you can guess where more of their information likely comes from
Agreed. And the only reason it needs hardware upgrade is to compete with the latest Android phones on paper…
A new CPU or more Ram isnt something that’ll get me to replace my iPhone 4 any time soon, it handles all the apps and the OS just as good now as a year ago and that new hardware wouldn’t really make much difference (new GPU could though I guess).
It’s far more likely I’d update due to a new design that looks even better (hard to imagine :p) or possibly larger screen.
I’m far more interested in getting my hands on iOS 5 than seeing an iPhone refresh.